• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.141-146
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• 2003

The methanol extracts of the aerial parts, leaves and stem of Hypericum hookerianum were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity on selected normal and cancer cell lines and anti tumor activity using DLA cells. Cell viability and morphological changes were assessed. Among the three extracts tested, the stem extract of Hypericum hookerianum showed potent cytotoxicity against HEp-2 and RD cell lines. The $CTC_{50}$(concentration required to reduce viability by 50%) of this extract was found to be $2.02\;{\mu}g/ml$ for RD cell line, $10.25\;{\mu}g/ml$ for HEp-2 cell line and $100.06\;{\mu}g/ml$ for Vero cell line. In the clonogenic assay, no colony formation was observed up to a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$. In the short term cytotoxicity studies using DLA cells, 50% viability was observed in the concentration range of $50-100\;{\mu}g/ml$ for aerial parts, $100-200\;{\mu}g/ml$ for stem and more than $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ for leaf extracts of Hypericum hookerianum. In the long-term activity using HEp-2 cell line, no colony formation was observed over a concentration of 200 mg/ml for the stem extract. Hypericum hookerianum stem extract was fractionated into petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol soluble fractions. The petroleum ether and chloroform soluble fractions showed higher cytotoxic activity against HEp-2 cell line when compared to the other two fractions. The methanol stem extract of Hypericum hookerianum has the potential for further investigation in animal models to determine its anti-tumor activity and to identify its active principles.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2019

Background: Psammaplin A (PsA) is a radiosensitizer whereas its clinical application is hampered by poor bioavailability. This study aimed to synthesize novel radiosensitizers using PsA as the lead compound. Materials and Methods: Eight homodimeric disulfides were synthesized from corresponding acid and cystamine dihydrochloride in N-hydroxysuccinimide and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide coupling conditions. One monomeric thiol analog was obtained by reduction of homodimeric disulfide with dithiothreitol. Clonogenic assay was used to measure cell survival after irradiation and drug treatment in human lung cancer (A549) and glioblastoma (U373MG) cells. Results and Discussion: Using the PsA backbone, nine compounds were synthesized. Eight compounds showed variable cytotoxicity with 50% inhibitory concentrations ranging $16.14{\mu}M$ to $150.10{\mu}M$ (A549), and $13.25{\mu}M$ to $50.15{\mu}M$ (U373MG). Four and six compounds radiosensitized A549 and U373MG cells, respectively. Two compounds that radiosensitized both cell lines were tested for its inhibitory effects on DNMT1. One of them was shown to significantly inhibit DNMT1 activity. Conclusion: Novel compounds with radiosensitizing activity were synthesized. These compounds have a great potential to serve as a basis for the development of future radiosensitizers. Further investigation is warranted for their clinical application.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.138-141
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• 2004

Purpose : We have previously reported that human glioblastoma cells are sensitized to radiation-induced death after their exposure to trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC-1), prior to the irradiation. We aimed to measure the magnitude of the radiosensitizing effect of TSA in human head and neck cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods : Human head and neck cancer cell lines, HN-3 and HN-9, were exposed to 0, 50, 100, and 200 nM TSA for 18 hr prior to irradiation. Then, the TSA-treated cells were irradiated with 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy, and cell survival was measured by clonogenic assay. Results : Pre-irradiation exposure to TSA was found to radiosensitize HN-3 and HN-9 cell lines. In HN-9 cells, the fraction surviving after 2 Gy (SF2) was significantly reduced by treatment of TSA at concentration as low as 50 nM. However, a treatment with 200 nM TSA was required to significantly decrease SF2 in the HN-3 cell line. SER of pre-irradiation treatment with 200 nM TSA was 1.84 in HN-3 and 7.24 in HN-9, respectively. Conclusions : Our results clearly showed that human head and neck cancer cell lines can be sensitized to ionizing radiation by pre-irradiation inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) using TSA, and that this potentiation might well be a general phenomenon.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2004

Purpose : To examine whether a synthetic bile acid derivatives (HS-1200) sensitizes the radiation-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods : Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in exponential growth phase were treated with HS-1200 for 24 hours at 37$^{\circ}C$ with 5$\%$ CO$_{2}$ in air atmosphere. After removal of HS-1200, cells were irradiated with 2$\~$8 Gy X-ray, and then cultured Ii drug-free media for 24-96 hours. The effect of radiation on the clonogenicity of MCF-7 cells was determined with clonogenic cell survival assay with 16$\mu$M of HS-1200. The induction of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and Hoechst staining. The expression level of apoptosis-related molecules, such as PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, Bak and AIF, were assayed by Western blotting analysis with 40$\mu$M of HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation. To examine the cellular location of cytochrome c, bax and AIF immunofluorescent stainings were undertaken. Results : Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 40$\mu$M of HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation showed several changes associated with enhanced apoptosis by agarose gel electrophoresis and Hoechst staining. HS-1200 combined with 8 Gy irradiation treatment also enhanced production of PARP cleavage products and increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio by Western blotting. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential ($\Delta$$\psi$$_{m}$) and increased cytochrome c staining indicated that cytochrome c had been released from the mitochondria in HS-1200 treated cells. Conclusion : We demonstrated that combination treatment with a synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid derivative HS-1200 and irradiation enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). We suggest that the increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio In HS-1200 co-treatment group underlies the increased radio sensitivity of MCF-7 cells. Further futures studies are remained elusive.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2009

Chios gum mastic (CGM) is a resin produced from the stem and leaves of Pistiacia lentiscus L var chia, a plant which grows only on Chios Island in Greece. CGM has been used for many centuries as a dietary supplement and folk medicine for stomach and duodenal ulcers in many Mediterranean countries and is known also to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in some cancer cells. In this study, we further investigated the induction and mechanisms underlying the apoptotic response to CGM treatment in the SCC25 human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line. The viability of SCC25 cells, human normal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1 cells), and the growth inhibition of SCC25 cells were assessed by MTT assay and clonogenic assay, respectively. Staining with Hoechst and hemacolor dyes and TUNEL assays were employed to detect SCC25 cells undergoing apoptosis. SCC25 cells were treated with CGM, and this was followed by western blotting, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, FACScan flow cytometry, MMP activity and proteasome activity analyses. CGM treatment of SCC25 cells was found to result in a time- and dosedependent decrease in cell viability, a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth, and apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, CGM showed a remarkable level of cytotoxicity in SCC25 cells but not in normal cells. Tested SCC25 cells also showed several lines of apoptotic manifestation. Taken together, our present findings demonstrate that CGM strongly inhibits cell proliferation by modulating the expression of G1 cell cycle-related proteins and induces apoptosis via the proteasome, mitochondria and caspase cascades in SCC25 cells.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2001

Purpose : Expression of TIMP, intrinsic inhibitor of MMP, is regulated by signal transduction in response to genotoxins and is likely to be an important step in metastasis, angiogenesis and wound healing after ionizing radiation. Therefore, we studied radiation mediated TIMP expression and its mechanism in head and neck cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods : Human head and neck cancer cell lines established at Asan Medical Center were used and radiosensitivity $(D_0)$, radiation cytotoxicity and metastatic potential were measured by clonogenic assay, n assay and invasion assay, respectively. The conditioned medium was prepared at 24 hours and 48 hours after 2 Gy and 10 Gy irradiation and expression of TIMP protein was measured by Elisa assay with specific antibodies against human TIMP. hTIMP1 promoter region was cloned and TIMP1 luciferase reporter vector was constructed. The reporter vector was transfected to AMC-HN-1 and -HN-9 cells with or without expression vector Ras, then the cells were exposed to radiation or PMA, PKC activator. EMSA was peformed with oligonucleotide (-59/-53 element and SP1) of TIMP1 promoter. Results : $D_0$ of HN-1, -2, -3, -5 and -9 cell lines were 1.55 Gy, 1.8 Gy, 1.5 Gt, 1.55 Gy and 2.45 Gy respectively. n assay confirmed cell viability, over $94\%$ at 24hrs, 48hrs after 2 Gy irradiation and over 73% after 10 Gy irradiation. Elisa assay confirmed that cells secreted TIMP1, 2 proteins continuously. After 2 Gy irradiation, TIMP2 secretion was decreased at 24hrs in HN-1 and HN-9 cell lines but after 10 Gy irradiation, it was increased in all cell lines. At 48hrs after irradiation, it was increased in HN-1 but decreased in HN-9 cells. But the change in TIMP secretion by RT was mild. The transcription of TIMP1 gene in HN-1 was induced by PMA but in HN-9 cell lines, it was suppressed. Wild type Ras induced the TIMP-1 transcription by 20 fold and 4 fold in HN-1 and HN-9 respectively. The binding activity to -59/-53, AP1 motif was increased by RT, but not to SP1 motif in both cell lines. Conclusions : We observed the difference of expression and activity of TIMPs between radiosensitive and radioresistant cell line and the different signal transduction pathway between in these cell lines may contribute the different radiosensitivity. Further research to investigate the radiation response and its signal pathway of TIMPs is needed.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 1998

Purpose : We conducted clonogenic assay using human cancer cell lines (MKN-45, PC-14, Y-79, HeLa) to investigate a correlation between the parameters of radiosensitivity. Materials and Methods : Human cancer cell lines were irradiated with single doses of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10Gy for the study of radiosensitivity and subrethal damage repair capacity was assessed with two fractions of 5Gy separated with a time interval of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 24 hours. Surviving fraction was assessed with clonogenic assay using $Sperman-H\"{a}rbor$ method and mathematical analysis of survival curves was done with linear-quadratic (LQ) , multitarget-single hit(MS) model and mean inactivation dose$(\v{D})$. Results : Surviving fractions at 2Gy(SF2) were variable among the cell lines, ranged from 0.174 to 0.85 The SF2 of Y-79 was lowest and that of PC-14 was highest(p<0.05, t-test). LQ model analysis showed that the values of $\alpha$ for Y-79, MKN-45, HeLa and PC-14 were 0.603, 0.356, 0.275 and 0.102 respectively, and those of $\beta$ were 0.005, 0.016, 0.025 and 0.027 respectively. Fitting to MS model showed that the values of Do for Y-79. MKN-45, HeLa and PC-14 were 1.59. 1.84. 1.88 and 2.52 respectively, and those of n were 0.97, 1.46, 1.52 and 1 69 respectively. The $\v{D}s$ calculated by Gauss-Laguerre method were 1.62, 2.37, 2,01 and 3.95 respectively So the SF2 was significantly correlated with $\alpha$, Do and $\v{D}$. Their Pearson correlation coefficiencics were -0.953 and 0,993. 0.999 respectively(p<0.05). Sublethal damage repair was saturated around 4 hours and recovery ratios (RR) at plateau phase ranged from 2 to 3.79. But RR was not correlated with SF2, ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, Do, $\v{D}$. Conclusion : The intrinsic radiosensitivity was very different among the tested human cell lines. Y-79 was the most sensitive and PC-l4 was the least sensitive. SF2 was well correlated with ${\alpha}$, Do, and $\v{D}$. RR was high for MKN-45 and HeLa but had nothing to do with radiosensitivity parameters. These basic parameters can be used as baseline data for various in vitro radiobiological experiments.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 2017

It has been reported that $^{64}Cu$ was radiolabeled with bombesin (BBN) peptide binding to the gastrin releasing peptide receptor expressed in human prostate cancer cells (PC3), confirming tumor target efficacy in mouse model. In this study, we developed the kit for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer that can be used clinically using bombesin peptide available of $^{64}Cu$ and $^{177}Lu$ radioisotope labeling. The NODAGA-galacto-BBN peptide containing the NODAGA chelator and galactose was dispensed into a sterilized glass vial and lyophilized to prepare a kit. The stability of the kit after long-term storage in the $4^{\circ}C$ cold chamber and the radiolabeling efficiency after $^{64}Cu$ or $^{177}Lu$ labeling were confirmed by thin layer chromatography. When labeling with $^{64}Cu$ at the initial stage of storage, labeling efficiency of NODAGA-galacto-BBN peptide kit was over 96%, labeling efficiency was over 90% when $^{177}Lu$ was labeled. At 11 months after storage, the radiolabeling efficiency of kit against $^{64}Cu$ and $^{177}Lu$ was each over 95% and 90%. The cell viability was significantly reduced in the $^{177}Lu$-NODAGA-galacto-BBN treated group compared with the control and $^{177}Lu$ alone treated group in clonogenic assay. In conclusion, the NODAGA-galacto-BBN kit prepared by the lyophilization showed high stability over time and high yield of radioisotope labeling. Also $^{177}Lu$-NODAGA-galacto-BBN confirmed high cytotoxicity to prostate cancer cells. Therefore, the NODAGA-galacto-bombesin kit is expected to be useful for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2006

Introduction : The sensitivity of tumor cells to radiotherapy is a critical determinant of local control and potential cure in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC). The emergence of radioresistant tumor cells is an obstacle to cancer therapy. Most radioresistant cells have a higher proportion of cells in the Sphase of the cell cycle and a lower apoptotic fraction than radiosensitive cells. HSV replication is increased in cells that have higher S-phase fractions. NV1066 is an oncolytic herpes simplex virus type-1 mutant. We hypothesized that NV1066 replication and cytotoxicity are increased in radioresistant cells. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of NV1066 to treat radioresistant HNSCC. Methods : Radioresistant cells were selected by treating five HNSCC cell lines with repeated conventional fractionated doses of radiation(2Gy/day), using a Cs-137 irradiator, up to a cumulative dose of 70Gy. Clonogenic cell survival and S-phase fractions were compared between radioresistant and parental radiosensitive cells. The two cell populations were then treated with NV1066 to examine viral replication, by the viral plaque assay and viral cytotoxicity. Results : Fractionated irradiation resulted in the selection of radioresistant cells. Radioresistant cells had a higher S-phase fraction(42.9%) compared to parental cells(26.2%). NV1066 replication in radioresistant cells was 7.4 times higher than in parental cells(p<0.01). Treatment with NV1066 resulted in increased cytotoxicity of 24.5% in radioresistant cells compared to parental cells(p<0.05). Conclusion : NV1066 showed increased viral replication and cytotoxicity in radioresistant HNSCC cell lines. These findings suggest a potential clinical application for this oncolytic viral therapy as treatment for radioresistant head and neck cancers.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2012

Purpose: The fibrates are ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ${\alpha}$ and used clinically as hypolipidemic drugs. The fibrates are known to cause peroxisome proliferation, enhance superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression and catalase activity. The antioxidant actions of the fibrates may modify radiation sensitivity. Here, we investigated the change of the radiation sensitivity in two cervix cancer cell lines in combination with fenofibrate (FF). Materials and Methods: Activity and protein expression of SOD were measured according to the concentration of FF. The mRNA expressions were measured by using real time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Combined cytotoxic effect of FF and radiation was measured by using clonogenic assay. Results: In HeLa cells total SOD activity was increased with increasing FF doses up to 30 ${\mu}M$. In the other hand, the catalase activity was increased a little. As with activity the protein expression of SOD1 and SOD2 was increased with increasing doses of FF. The mRNAs of SOD1, SOD2, $PPAR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ were increased with increasing doses of FF. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by radiation was decreased by preincubation with FF. The surviving fractions (SF) by combining FF and radiation was higher than those of radiation alone. In Me180 cells SOD and catalase activity were not increased with FF. Also, the mRNAs of SOD1, SOD2, and $PPAR{\alpha}$ were not increased with FF. However, the mRNA of $PPAR{\gamma}$ was increased with FF. Conclusion: FF can reduce radiation sensitivity by ROS scavenging via SOD induction in HeLa. SOD induction by FF is related with $PPAR{\alpha}$.